Authorities round up drug suspects in NC

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) – Law enforcement officials in North Carolina concluded “Operation Double Down” Friday with the arrests of more than a dozen suspects on drug charges.

“It’s targeting street-level dealers, and we are trying to take care of some of the complaints that we are getting throughout the city,” said Elizabeth City Police Captain John Young.

According to the Elizabeth City Police Department, the operation has been going on for about a year. Undercover officers in two other jurisdictions targeted areas with the highest number of drug complaints and then purchased crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana from suspects.

“The operation included an undercover police officer who was wired with video, and they sold to [the officer] in a controlled environment,” Young said.

The operation is called “Double Down” because it was conducted in two phases. The first, in March, nabbed 21 suspects. The second phase targeted 23 suspects, and Authorities were able to round up 18 of by 3 p.m. Friday.

“Officers were briefed and took to the streets by 8:45 a.m. on Friday morning with informational packets detailing the names of those who had warrants filed against them along with probable locations where they could be found. As they were arrested and processed officers went out for more,” Young said.

All of the suspects were arrested for possession with the intent to sell and deliver and the sale and delivery of a controlled substance. They were processed and placed in Albemarle District Jail with bonds ranging from $15,000 to $50,000.

Officers served an additional charge on Rashawn Darrell Brown for possession of schedule II controlled substance. During his apprehension, Brown had .2 grams of crack cocaine on his person, Young said.

The sting operation followed citizen complaints of visible drug activity on public streets.

“They just don’t want to see the deterioration of the city and the manner of drugs and street-level buys, and the hands to hands that people are seeing on the streets,” Young said. “They call and make complaints and we are going to respond.”